FG reveals how 282 whistle-blowers exposed 154 crimes in three months

The federal government says, in the first three months, its new whistleblowing policy has provided 282 tip-offs out of which 154 were actionable.

Premium Times quotes a government official Festus Akanbi as saying in a statement on Friday, March 24 that some of the actionable tips involved “contract inflation and conversion of government asset to personal use”, “ghost workers” and “payment of unapproved funds.”

Akanbi, who is the media assistant to the minister of finance Kemi Adeosun, also listed the telephone numbers and websites where whistle-blowers can provide tips.

The report said he however, did not mention the exact amount and number of whistle-blowers that have been paid.

The statement listed:

TOTAL COMMUNICATION RECEIVED – 2,251

Communication includes enquiries, tips, compliments and general advice from the public.

Website (www.whistle.finance.gov.ng) – 95

Calls – (09098067946) – 1,550

SMS – 412

Emails ( whistle@finance.gov.ng) – 194

TOTAL NUMBER OF TIPS RECEIVED – 282

Tips received through Calls – 49

Tips received through SMS – 87

Tips received through Website – 95

Tips received through E-mail – 51

ACTIONABLE TIPS RECEIVED – 154

Some of the tip types include:

1. Contract Inflation and Conversion of Government Assets to Personal use

2. Ghost workers

3. Payment of unapproved funds

4. Embezzlement of salaries of terminated personnel

5. Improper reduction of financial penalties

6. Diversion of Funds meant for distribution to a particular group of people (farmers)